baby boa keeps pooping on me

[hylian]

Okay this probably sounds really dumb and i feel dumb even asking for help on this, but basically almost every time i hold him, he poops. He doesn't do it right away, he does it usually like 15-30 minutes after he's been out. It's not musk, its like, full turds and urates. I've had him for about 2 months now, i believe he is around 3 months old. I only take him out 2 times a week, 3 at the most. Also I've only cleaned poop out of his tank once or twice, all the other times he's done it on me.

It's a problem because 1) its disgusting and smells awful. 2) He is a pet (not breeding) so of course im going to hold him often and other people are going to hold him often, so I can't have him pooping on everyone. 3) its bad now, it'll be even worse when he's 7 feet long taking enormous craps on people.

So im thinking either he doesn't like to do his business in his enclosure, or he just does it because he doesn't want to be held anymore. Maybe he'll grow out of it? Maybe i should hold him more? Less? (i hardly touch him as it is now because of this). I don't even know if there is a solution to this problem, so what are your opinions.

[Archimedes]

when he poops on you, keep right on handling him, or hand him off to a willing helper while you clean up. they can learn habits, and if he realized after a few accidents, he may do it on purpose now to get out of handling. show him that it won't stop the session and he might quit it.

also keep an eye on when exactly you're handling him. note the speed of his metabolism-- you may literally just need to bump your handling days by a day or two. watch for sausage-butt!

[JohnNGriffin]

Do they make snake diapers? I really don't know. Just a thought..... (Ok, that was dumb)...

[bcr229]

It may be that the exercise he's getting while you're holding him is encouraging things to "move along" - he's not going on you because he's upset or musking, he's going on you because he has to go, and snakes will just let fly wherever, whenever.

Have you tried handling him for a long(er) period of time just after you have to clean out a fresh dropping?

[colton62]

What size meal are you feeding him? Maybe it's too large and he gets a little constipated and the movement of holding him helps to get it out. Just a thought.


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[blackfish707]

Snakes poop. It's just what they do. Either wait until after you find a poo in his enclosure to handle or handle with a trash can or toilet nearby. You could also lay a towel on your lap.

Personally, I tend to wait until after they poo to have mine out for any length of time unless it's to soak in the tub where a lot of them poo anyways.

Poo!

[Gio]

I think it depends on when you are doing the handling. There comes a time after they eat where it becomes almost predictable when they will eliminate waste.

I like to handle the animals about 2-3 days after feeding, but when we start hitting the 5 day (when they are younger) mark and the 7-10 day mark, I leave them in the crates until after the go. Then I will work with them maybe for a day or 2 before I feed again.

Its odd that each time you handle the snake it eliminates waste. Is it really every time? Usually snakes eat and pass their food in a very predictable manner and once you become accustomed to this, you won't be surprised.

Keep us posted if this is too frequent and it continues.

Edit: I just read the age of the snake (3 months) I think for sure this will end as it gets older. But my above still applies.

Keep us posted and good luck!

[hylian]

thanks guys, i feel a little bit better about it now. It's not every time i hold him, more like half of the time he does it. If it persists i'll try smaller meals.